A landmark 2005 European study claimed that those who regularly eat more than 5.6oz (160g) of red meat daily increase their risk of contracting bowel cancer by a third. As many as 16,000 people die each year of bowel cancer in Britain, most of whom are diagnosed before they turn 50.

Research has shown that red meat significantly increases the risk of bowel cancer. It is the second most common form of cancer and affects 36,500 Britons every year.

The committee, which includes a number of doctors, said those consuming more than 100g of red or processed meats - the equivalent of as little as two thick cut back bacon rashers in one leading supermarket - may need to be told to cut their intake.